Mesmer Eyes Dwarf Tea Tree

Mesmer Eyes Dwarf Tea Tree (Leptospermum 'Mesmer Eyes') is a compact native shrub about 1.5m tall and 1m wide, with fine foliage and big spring flowers up to 3cm across. White buds open into magenta-pink blossoms with prominent 'eyelashes' around the centre disc, larger than on most tea trees. It was bred by tea tree specialists at Bywong Nursery.

Why you'll love it

• Big, eyecatching flowers. Blooms reach 3cm across, with a distinct eye disc ringed by petals that look like eyelashes.
• A colour change. Flowers start white and deepen to magenta-pink through spring.
• Tough and drought hardy. It tolerates frost and dry spells and handles exposed positions in most parts of Australia.
• Happy in a pot. Compact enough for a large container, which suits small gardens and courtyards.
• Feeds pollinators. Bees and butterflies come in numbers when it flowers.

Where it works best

Native and cottage gardens. Use it as a spring feature shrub in mixed borders. Plant 1m apart and each shrub keeps its own shape.

Containers. A single plant in a large pot of quality potting mix gives courtyards and patios a flowering feature.

Exposed sites. It copes with wind and open positions where softer shrubs struggle.

Growing Mesmer Eyes Dwarf Tea Tree in Australia

Position and climate. Sunny to part shade. It suits exposed areas in most parts of Australia, from subtropical to cool temperate gardens, and tolerates frost.

Soil. Good drainage is key. On clay, plant on a low mound and mulch.

Water and feed. Mulch and water regularly until the plant is established, usually around 12 weeks. Fertilise once a year with a slow release native fertiliser.

Pruning. Prune after flowering to promote dense, bushy growth. Take soft tips and avoid bare old wood.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Mesmer Eyes Dwarf Tea Tree as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, and in 200mm pots in packs of 6 for a bigger plant to start. Tubes arrive small and bush out over the first season. The tube is supplied by our grower and sells out from time to time. A sold out tube simply means none are ready, and the notify button on the page will email you the day it is available again.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse the tea tree collection
• Leptospermum care guide for Australian gardens
• Plants for pots and containers
• Plants for native bees in Australian gardens

Common questions

Why is it called Mesmer Eyes?

Each flower has a prominent eye disc at its centre, ringed by petals that look like eyelashes. The effect is striking up close.

How big do the flowers get?

Up to 3cm across, larger than most tea trees. They open white and change to pink through spring.

Can I grow it in a pot?

Yes. It is suited to containers. Use quality potting mix, keep it in the sun and water regularly through its first summer.